SPJ Clarifies “Illegal Immgrant” Stance

The Society of Professional Journalists which found itself in the middle of the illegal immigration debate after an article calling for banning the use of the words “illegal immigrant” has now clarified its stance.

Here is the latest statement from SPJ;

CLARIFICATION: The following article is an opinion piece and does not reflect the views of SPJ, its membership or its Diversity Committee. The committee itself has taken no official initiative on the use of the phrase “illegal immigrant.”

The article in question is by Leo Laurence and talks about discussions the SPJ’s Diversity committee has had on this issue and as a result gave the public the impression that the organization and the committee had called for a ban when in fact it was only Laurence’s opinion that they do so.

The rebranding is aimed at not offending Latinos though there hasn’t exactly been an outcry to change the terminology to the “less” offensive undocumented worker or alien.

Just look at this debate on Fox before the clarification was issued.

Props to Megyn Kelly for calling out Jehmu Greene for her claim that the use of the term “illegal immigrant” has increased violence against immigrants. Greene responded that language leads to how people look at communities and we need to be fair and unbiased. That’s her opinion but where are the facts to back up Greene’s claim? They don’t exist because if she had any she would have used them.

Laurence may have been trying to float a trial balloon in anticipation of the SPJ”s 2011 convention but the public has just stuck a giant pin in it and sent it crashing to the ground.

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One Response to “SPJ Clarifies “Illegal Immgrant” Stance”

I am on the SPJ board in San Diego. Thank you very much for publishing the clarification. It’s understandable that Mr. Laurence’s opinion piece could be taken as an official SPJ statement; the wording certainly could be construed that way. But Mr. Laurence does not represent the views of SPJ or its Diversity Committe on this issue.